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ashlynnejoy's review against another edition
could not get through this dang book. i really enjoyed the first book in the shameless series, but this was too much of a slow burn. it was sooooo slow. finally gave up at 50% of the way through
thephdivabooks's review
3.0
A rabbi and a porn star walk into a romance novel…
Naomi Grant is a former porn star with an advanced degree who has evolved her career away from sex work and towards co-leading a successful sex-positive online platform called Shameless.
With her background, Naomi knows she can be a voice for helping people embrace sex positivity and improve how they engage in intimacy. Her approach is all about empowerment and seeing sex as more than just an act, but a part of having a fulfilling experience.
After applying at different colleges and universities to teach a course on this subject, Naomi is met with a series of rejections due to her very public career as an adult performer. However, Naomi’s career may have a new opportunity when she meets Ethan Cohen at a professional conference.
Ethan is a young rabbi at a Los Angeles synagogue who is looking to increase membership and engagement through new, more modern programming. His synagogue has an older congregation currently and he hopes to bring in younger members to keep it afloat. When he hears Naomi speaking about her work in sex education, he offers her to teach a lecture series on modern intimacy at his synagogue.
Naomi is initially reluctant. She hasn’t regularly attended synagogue since her bat mitzvah, but this course seems like a great way to show what she can do and reconnect with Judaism in her daily life. As the lecture series goes on, life imitates art as Ethan and Naomi have their own exploration of the stages of intimacy.
Meanwhile the lecture series gains traction in the community, but it doesn’t do so without controversy. Many of the older and more traditional members feel that Naomi Grant’s series is damaging the reputation of their shul. Ethan is put in a tenuous position, as he is encouraged to cut ties with Naomi.
This was such a refreshing entry in the romance genre, with the themes of traditional versus modern faith and the role of sex positivity and intimacy in what was typically a place discussion of those topics could be taboo.
Naomi and Ethan’s relationship is steaming hot, but I also liked that there was a strong emotional and mental connection between them as well. It reinforced the work Naomi was doing perfectly, though at times it did interfere with the pacing of their love story.
I loved the heavy emphasis on Judaism throughout the book. I learned a lot and I enjoyed seeing a different take on faith in romance than the more standard Christian or even Muslim books that I’ve read. Naomi is a strong leading character and carried her half of the story perfectly. Ethan was smart, compassionate, and thoughtful. It sounded strange at first to have a Rabbi as a lead in a romance book (or any faith leader) but I actually loved it.
I was hesitant to pick this up because I thought The Roommate was a bit too heavy on the steam for me, but this one had much more balance with the plot, character development, and relationship. I found the story clever and engaging to read. The audiobook narrators were well-suited to the story.
An all-around good book that is worth the read!
Naomi Grant is a former porn star with an advanced degree who has evolved her career away from sex work and towards co-leading a successful sex-positive online platform called Shameless.
With her background, Naomi knows she can be a voice for helping people embrace sex positivity and improve how they engage in intimacy. Her approach is all about empowerment and seeing sex as more than just an act, but a part of having a fulfilling experience.
After applying at different colleges and universities to teach a course on this subject, Naomi is met with a series of rejections due to her very public career as an adult performer. However, Naomi’s career may have a new opportunity when she meets Ethan Cohen at a professional conference.
Ethan is a young rabbi at a Los Angeles synagogue who is looking to increase membership and engagement through new, more modern programming. His synagogue has an older congregation currently and he hopes to bring in younger members to keep it afloat. When he hears Naomi speaking about her work in sex education, he offers her to teach a lecture series on modern intimacy at his synagogue.
Naomi is initially reluctant. She hasn’t regularly attended synagogue since her bat mitzvah, but this course seems like a great way to show what she can do and reconnect with Judaism in her daily life. As the lecture series goes on, life imitates art as Ethan and Naomi have their own exploration of the stages of intimacy.
Meanwhile the lecture series gains traction in the community, but it doesn’t do so without controversy. Many of the older and more traditional members feel that Naomi Grant’s series is damaging the reputation of their shul. Ethan is put in a tenuous position, as he is encouraged to cut ties with Naomi.
This was such a refreshing entry in the romance genre, with the themes of traditional versus modern faith and the role of sex positivity and intimacy in what was typically a place discussion of those topics could be taboo.
Naomi and Ethan’s relationship is steaming hot, but I also liked that there was a strong emotional and mental connection between them as well. It reinforced the work Naomi was doing perfectly, though at times it did interfere with the pacing of their love story.
I loved the heavy emphasis on Judaism throughout the book. I learned a lot and I enjoyed seeing a different take on faith in romance than the more standard Christian or even Muslim books that I’ve read. Naomi is a strong leading character and carried her half of the story perfectly. Ethan was smart, compassionate, and thoughtful. It sounded strange at first to have a Rabbi as a lead in a romance book (or any faith leader) but I actually loved it.
I was hesitant to pick this up because I thought The Roommate was a bit too heavy on the steam for me, but this one had much more balance with the plot, character development, and relationship. I found the story clever and engaging to read. The audiobook narrators were well-suited to the story.
An all-around good book that is worth the read!
supermarioctopus's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
_caitlinreads_'s review
I just got really bored, i think it was maybe from how small of a font the book had and how there wasnt anything to interesting happening to keep me interested
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mel0412's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mummyisreading's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
honiver's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chipppyyy's review
5.0
There is something special about reading a book, and seeing so much of yourself in it. And then finishing it and just wishing it was real. I loved this book, I know I related to the character more directly because I’ve had similar experiences and background but I think so many people would love it.